I was at Tony’s Gym engaging in my typical forty-five minute workout on the elliptical machine when I first saw him. He was about my age, and his father was pushing him in a wheelchair specially made for him. Somewhat interested in determining his problem, I casually watched as the boy’s father, who kept a constant eye on me, helped him out of the wheelchair and up to the walker. The critical look in his eyes seemed to ask me why I was even glancing in their direction. I looked away, not wanting him to think I was gawking at his physically challenged son. When I felt it had been long enough, I allowed my eyes to wander back towards them and watched the boy begin to walk towards the rowing machine. With every awkward step he took with his feeble legs, a loud thud came from the walker that was slamming against the floor. Not expecting this, I was a little surprised at the amount of noise he was making, but nonetheless bothered by it. His father stepped back and allowed the boy to move himself up and over the step between him and the machine. I instinctively felt great sympathy for the boy. Realizing his father could see it in my expression, I glanced away again. Once the boy was seated, I proceeded to make my way down
When it is pouring outside, people are desperately trying to find that perfect parking spot. It is then that the open handicapped place seems to call their name. For a split second, they maliciously wonder, “What harm could it do to park my car right there?” Most people do not take the time to think about others, but instead only concentrate on themselves and their own needs. They do not stop to think that a handicapped person may come along and actually need that spot that they stole. Also, some people get a handicapped tag and hang it from their rear view mirror. Doing this automatically gives them the ability to park in that spot close to the entrance. Little things like these are what make ordinarily nice people seem like jerks to any handicapped person. They may not realize it at the time, but the ignorant “jerks” are actually making a lasting impression on anyone who happens to be watching from afar.
How did that boy and his father feel towards me? Did I make them feel awkward or inferior to me just by glancing their way? I never know exactly how to react to a situation of that sort. Do I look away, or do I politely smile and say “hi”? This is a common problem, or maybe even a handicap, that most people suffer from today. Unfortunately, there may never be a way to answer the question everyone is wondering, “How do I know how to respond?”
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